G20 retakes group photo due to lack of US, Canadian, Italian leaders

The G20 "family portrait" on November 18 was taken in Rio de Janeiro without US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Due to their schedules, the two leaders did not arrive in time.

In addition, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was also absent but the reason is unknown.

First photo shoot.

In the second “family photo,” taken on November 19, Mr. Biden is in the center, flanked by Mr. Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Meloni is to Mr. Trudeau’s right, next to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is seated in the front row in both photos.

The photo incident sparked some commentary. The AP described the incident on November 18 as “absurd” and said it “seems symbolic of the waning influence” of the US leader. Meanwhile, commentator SL Kanthan said the first photo represented a “multipolar world” by not waiting for late leaders, with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz relegated to the second row, while the leaders of Brazil, India, South Africa and China stood in the front row.

The leaders in the second photo.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who represented Moscow at the summit in Rio de Janeiro, was in the photo on November 18, but was not present on November 19. He described the summit as “very positive” and noted that the West did not push its “Ukrainian agenda” in the final communique.

At the final G20 events, supporters of Ukraine and Russia blamed each other for escalating the war in Europe. Meanwhile, host Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged global leaders to revive stalled UN climate talks in Azerbaijan, during the COP-29 conference. He warned that action was essential for the survival of the planet.

US President Joe Biden also called for urgent action. "History is watching us," he said.

In another development, the sudden decision of the US towards Ukraine to approve Kiev's long-range missile attack on Russia is attracting attention.

Phuong Anh (Source: RT, AFP, AP)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/g20-chup-lai-anh-tap-the-vi-thieu-lanh-dao-my-canada-italia-ar908532.html